Body found in neighbor's yard after Jonesboro home invasion

CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. - Clayton County police are investigating whether a person found shot to death Saturday night is tied to a burglary at a home off Tara Boulevard.

Friends said the body of a 14-year-old boy was found next door to the home where the burglary happened about 10:30 p.m. at Sterling Ridge Lane in Jonesboro.

"I found out it was a little dude I went to school with, walked around with, played basketball with," Jerry Harrison told Channel 2's Amanda Cook.

Friends said the teen had been with his twin brother and another person when he burglarized the home twice in the same night.

"They went back a second time and the second time the homeowner had pulled up, and by that time all that had happened," said friend Jason Cardwell.

Police said the homeowners came home to find their front porch door open.

"(The couple) went to inspect the door. Upon further inspection, (they) noticed there was forced entry into the home," said Clayton County police Sgt. Kevin Hughes.

The couple slowly entered the home and found three males inside.

Police said the male homeowner grabbed his gun and started shooting at the possible burglars.

"Three males inside the home exited through an open window," said Hughes.

The homeowners called police, and when detectives arrived, they soon found a male's body in a neighbor's yard. The male received a single gunshot wound to his upper torso, Hughes said.

"(Emergency medical services) was called out and it was discovered that the person was deceased in the front yard of the neighboring home where the incident occurred," said Hughes.

But police said it wasn't immediately clear how the person got there.Police have not confirmed the age of the person who was killed. Channel 2 Action News is working to get his name and other information. Check back for updates.